Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Using Porous 3D Graphene-Based Aerogels Supporting Pt/TiO2 Nanoparticles

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Kubovics, M (Author) Other; Claudia G Silva (Author) FEUP; Lopez-Periago, AM (Author) Other; Joaquim Luís Faria (Author) FEUP; Domingo, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: GELS

Vol. 17

Final page: 719

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-NW8

DOI: 10.3390/gels8110719

Abstract (EN): Composites involving reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogels supporting Pt/TiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated using a one-pot supercritical CO2 gelling and drying method, followed by mild reduction under a N-2 atmosphere. Electron microscopy images and N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms indicate the formation of 3D monolithic aerogels with a meso/macroporous morphology. A comprehensive evaluation of the synthesized photocatalyst was carried out with a focus on the target application: the photocatalytic production of H-2 from methanol in aqueous media. The reaction conditions (water/methanol ratio, catalyst concentration), together with the aerogel composition (Pt/TiO2/rGO ratio) and architecture (size of the aerogel pieces), were the factors that varied in optimizing the process. These experimental parameters influenced the diffusion of the reactants/products inside the aerogel, the permeability of the porous structure, and the light-harvesting properties, all determined in this study towards maximizing H-2 production. Using methanol as the sacrificial agent, the measured H-2 production rate for the optimized system (18,800 mu mol(H2)h(-1)g(NPs)(-1)) was remarkably higher than the values found in the literature for similar Pt/TiO2/rGO catalysts and reaction media (2000-10,000 mu mol(H2)h(-1)g(NPs)(-1)).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19